Every person who finds themselves in a legal battle should first consider the option of settling. Struggling through a courtroom drama can become both costly and time-consuming, not to mention the emotional toll it can take. Statistics show that around 95% of personal injury cases settle before they ever reach a courtroom, which is good news. Individuals who choose to settle can save their time, money, and energy. So why not take the easier route if it is still beneficial?
Challenges of Digital Evidence
Most evidence has gone digital these days; think about all the emails, social media posts, and files uploaded to the cloud. For personal injury cases, the availability of this evidence often causes more problems than advantages. When a case goes to trial, the parties involved must prove the authenticity of the digital evidence. That means tracking the chain of custody and making sure the evidence remains untampered. For instance, people submit screenshots of social media conversations or messages as evidence of discussions or events. However, it is so easy for someone to edit or alter what is shown in a screenshot.
Also, many data storage services work off servers that hide their location overseas. When time comes to gather evidence, filing requests for documents stored on these servers becomes a lengthy and complicated process. You might encounter legal hurdles, international laws, and unfamiliar regulations. The confidentiality battles that cloud-based companies put up can result in a delay that runs for months or even years. It makes matters worse for personal injury cases where time is often of the essence.
Injury Cases and Evidence
According to experts at Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C, personal injury cases heavily rely on proving liability. To do this, a party must show that another party’s actions led to physical harm. The challenge arises when both sides submit digital evidence. Each side can find something that seems incriminating, and who’s to say what really happened? If the evidence of one side doesn’t hold up under scrutiny, it opens up the chance for the other party to win the case. Rather than risking a long, drawn-out battle in front of a jury, why take the chance? Settling can help avoid some of these pitfalls.
When it comes to legal battles, especially with personal injury cases, the smart move often remains to seek settlement. As painful and challenging as a legal battle can be, a settlement allows both parties to walk away feeling like they have achieved something, and avoid the uncertainties of a long trial.